Westgate Dental Practice

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 26 April 2023 under section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions.

We planned the inspection to check whether the registered practice was meeting the legal requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations.

The inspection was led by a Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspector who was supported by a specialist dental advisor.

To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we always ask the following 5 questions:

• Is it safe?
• Is it effective?
• Is it caring?
• Is it responsive to people’s needs?
• Is it well-led?

These questions form the framework for the areas we look at during the inspection.

Our findings were:

• The dental clinic appeared clean and well-maintained.
• The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
• Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
• The practice had systems to manage risks for patients, staff, equipment and the premises.
• Safeguarding processes were in place and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
• The practice had staff recruitment procedures which reflected current legislation.
• Clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect. Staff took care to protect patients’ privacy and personal information.
• Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
• The appointment system worked efficiently to respond to patients’ needs.
• The frequency of appointments was agreed between the dentist and the patient, giving due regard to National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.
• There was effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Staff felt involved, supported and worked as a team.
• Staff and patients were asked for feedback about the services provided.
• Systems were in place to ensure any complaints were dealt with positively and efficiently.
• The practice had information governance arrangements.

Background

Westgate Dental Practice is in Wilmslow, Cheshire and provides private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

The practice is located on the upper floor of a large, detached building with car parking available immediately outside in a dedicated car park. Although the staircase to the first floor is an ‘easy rise’ staircase, (one which is wide and has shallow steps) the practice does not have a lift available. For this reason, it is not accessible to patients who use a wheelchair but would be suitable for patients who use a walking stick or similar walking aid, due to the wide, easy rise staircase. There is ample space available to leave a pushchair in the entrance lobby of the building.

The dental team includes the principal dentist, 2 dental nurses, 1 dental hygienist, a practice manager and a receptionist. The practice has 2 treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with the principal dentist, 1 dental nurse, the dental hygienist, the receptionist and the practice manager. We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.

The practice is open: Monday to Friday from 9am to 5.30pm

There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:

• Improve the practice's protocols for medicines management including stock control, and ensure all medicines are stored and dispensed of safely and securely with labels carrying all information required at the point of dispensing.
• Take action to review the practice's Legionella risk assessment, taking into account the guidelines issued by the Department of Health in the Health Technical Memorandum 01-05: Decontamination in primary care dental practices, and having regard to The Health and Social Care Act 2008: ‘Code of Practice about the prevention and control of infections and related guidance.’ In particular, by identifying the correct sentinel points for hot and cold water outlets.
• Take action to ensure the suitability of the premises and ensure all areas are fit for the purpose for which they are being used. In particular, that the findings of a recently commissioned electrical fixed wiring inspection, are acted on.